The World Cup is just around the corner, so perhaps some of our members who do watch soccer can discuss about the World Cup. Who do you think are going to end up as the winners? Which other countries are contenders?

Personally I agree with almost everyone else that Brazil are likely to walk away with the title once again. Their attacking talents are breathtaking, and their reserve players are good enough to walk into the first teams of any team or country. Kaka, Adriano, Ronaldo and the mercurial Ronaldinho will be the core of the team's attack. With these magnificent four around, the likes of players like Juninho Pernambucano, the ultimate set-piece specialist, Robinho, a master of trickery, and Ricardinho, an unsung hero, have to be content with a place on the bench.

However, it's possible that Brazil's defence will let them down. They rely too heavily on their full-backs, Roberto Carlos and Cafu, and while they are great players, age is catching up with them. It's unlikely that they will continue to excel in the 4-2-2-2 system that they had once used. Much would have to depend on Emerson and Ze Roberto to protect the defence from the midfield. If these two players are on song, while Parreira can get his "magnificent four" to help out in defending, then the title would be theirs.

As for the other contenders, I think Italy might have a good chance. Yes, they might be perennial underachievers, like Spain (which I support), but in the late bloomers Luca Toni (top scorer in the Seria A with 31 goals in 38 games for Fiorentina) and Filippo Inzaghi, Italy might have found the missing ingredient that always lets them down in the past - goals.

Another contender would be England, of course. They have no lack of talents. Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, David Beckham (whose powers are waning, but are still impressive if he peaks at the right time)... the list goes on. Much would have to depend on Eriksson's tactics though. His tactics and team selections tend to baffle, but should he finally get it right this time, England will go a long way.

Then, there's Argentina, the most likely winner aside from Brazil. Lionel Messi is the raw diamond in the side, and with senior players like the legendary Roberto Ayala, playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme and Hernan Crespo as the backbone of the team, they should avoid the embarrassment of the first-round exit four years ago. The fact that they have beaten Brazil 3-1 in their qualifying campaign speaks volumes of their capabilities.

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Last edited by sN0wBaLL on Mon Aug 21, 2006 11:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Wed May 31, 2006 8:36 pm

DragonPhoenix

Pokemon Ranger

Joined: Mon Jan 03, 2005 4:50 pmPosts: 854Location: Australia

GROUP FBrazil
Croatia
Australia
Japan

D= Not much of a chance of us getting in, but I will be supporting and watching the team at home. Seriously and honestly, I know almost nothing about soccer but the hype & fever has really hit me.

So GO THE SOCCEROOS!

Wed May 31, 2006 9:22 pm

Eswin

Dragon Tamer

Joined: Wed May 04, 2005 7:17 amPosts: 248

As sn0w said, Brazil's defence is what lets them down. They are an ATTACKING (more emphasis on that) team. I have a firm belief that good old England, creators of the beautiful game, aren't going to win. This cup is either Brazil's or Italy's, I am certain of it.

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Thu Jun 01, 2006 2:03 am

Sneaky Sneasel

Gym Leader

Joined: Sat Feb 12, 2005 5:21 pmPosts: 3128Location: College

USA is in the same group as Ghana, Czech Republic and Italy, and the Czechs are ranked #2 in the world. USA is #5, and Italy is #13, so it wn't be easy for us...I think. Go USA!

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Thu Jun 01, 2006 1:24 pm

sN0wBaLL

Lite Four

Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 3:03 amPosts: 3835Location: Singapore

The current rankings system doesn't take into account the fact that some countries do not play as many games as others. If I'm not wrong, countries in North and South America (as in, the continents) have more qualifying games to play than their European counterparts, and as such are able to gather more "points" in the ranking system. FIFA has mentioned that they will be fixing this by introducing a new ranking system soon.

Realistically speaking, the Czech Republic and Italy are likely to qualify. If either of them fail to do so though, it's likely that the US will pip Ghana to second place. So pray that the Italians or Czechs slip up, S_S

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Fri Jun 02, 2006 11:36 pm

magic

Bug Catcher

Joined: Mon May 29, 2006 6:25 amPosts: 2Location: In your brain

I have always support England. I hope they can win. They can defeat Brazil with players scoring like Frank Lampard, Michael Owen, Steven Gerrard and
Wayne Rooney. ( If he recovers from his injury)

Tue Jun 06, 2006 4:27 am

Mutant_Mewtwo

Pokemon Ranger

Joined: Tue Dec 20, 2005 2:37 amPosts: 582

Well I personally believe the Final will be Germany vs Brazil, but i do want England to win as they have many talents, a strong back four, a good goal keeper, an amazing midfield and some three very good strikers in Crouch, Owen and Rooney, who is now fit to play. But if Brazil and England both go all the way they meet in the Semi Final to my dismay and i believe Brazil will scrap a win against them.

Another real contender that i'm surprised no one has mentioned yet is France, they may not have the best players but when they play well except for Henry but when they play well together they can tear teams apart and Henry can score goals from all angles and is a force to be reckoned with.

But my bet goes to Brazil winning and taking their 6th World Cup

Tue Jun 06, 2006 8:50 am

Scipio

Bug Catcher

Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2006 5:49 pmPosts: 23

magic wrote:

I have always support England. I hope they can win. They can defeat Brazil with players scoring like Frank Lampard, Michael Owen, Steven Gerrard and
Wayne Rooney. ( If he recovers from his injury)

Lampard's better at assisting, although he is the midfirlder with the most goals in the premiership. I think the final will be Brasil v England. It's been forty years since England's last won it. Sucks though, for Rooney. I cheer for Chelsea, but I was screamin' at the tv when they took him down, I was like, 'wtf were you thinkin' we need him for the World Cup, [insert curse words here].' The final should be a great game though, Especially since Ronaldinho, the best current player in the world being on Brasil, should be pretty sweet.

Btw, Mutant_Mewtwo, Rooney's alright, but he probably won't play until the later games, if not ever.

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Tue Jun 06, 2006 9:06 am

Mutant_Mewtwo

Pokemon Ranger

Joined: Tue Dec 20, 2005 2:37 amPosts: 582

Scipio, it's all over every paper in England that he has been his normal adventurous and acrobatic self in training today so i think he may actually play in the group stages. Also I think that is impossible for it to be an England v Brazil final because unless i made some mistakes they would meet in the Semi-Final

Tue Jun 06, 2006 10:49 am

Scipio

Bug Catcher

Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2006 5:49 pmPosts: 23

I haven't been payin' attention to who meets up who when, so I could be mistaken.

But rooney has several broken metatarsals, and a fractured ankle. He might fall down and break it again, or seriously hurt it again, it's just up to him, since ferguson said it's alright for him to play.

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Tue Jun 06, 2006 10:53 am

sN0wBaLL

Lite Four

Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 3:03 amPosts: 3835Location: Singapore

No, if I'm not wrong Rooney merely has a broken metatarsal. The one Man Utd player with multiple fractures is Alan Smith, who isn't even in the World Cup squad.

Anyway, M_M, I do believe that the French are contenders, but I don't think they will go all the way. The only time they have won the World Cup is on home soil, remember. Thierry Henry hasn't been able to reproduce his club form for his country, so he'll be unpredictable. Some players might say that Zidane will give it his all since he is going to retire after the World Cup, but there is only a limit to how much one player can do, given the fact that he's already 33.

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Tue Jun 06, 2006 6:44 pm

Galar

Gym Leader

Joined: Thu Feb 17, 2005 11:04 amPosts: 1320Location: Sky Tower

I have a horrible feeling towards this World Cup. I don't know, it seems to me we're way too confident and that's going to bring our ruin. I know we have good players and stuff, but I always feel like s**t will happen and it's going to be a shame. I can remember, on the last cup, Brazil lost to a tiny little african team, which had 2 players missing... LOL?

Personally, I'm kind of divided. I indeed want Brazil to win, but at the same time, it would be very interesting if we lose (especially to a few countries most brazilians would be terrified to see their God blessed team lose to, such as *shivers* Argentina); that would turn our Media's attention back to what in fact matters: our shameless politics.

I am a bit confident that we can go through the first division of games, though, specially because we've already played against New Zealand and, as some journalists say (can we trust them??), they play somehow like Australia. I'm very afraid of Japan, though, and, for some reason, Croatia is getting on my nerves. I think we'll have quite some problems, but we can work it out (hopefully).

As sN0wBaLL said, a few of our players are, liek, getting old, another little point to our disadvantages. Also, yes, we're attackers, not defenders, which isn't at all good, as we're not enough balanced. I'm so hoping Parreira can deal with that... >_< I don't understand anything about soccer, but I know he'll have to do a very good job. And some hard time. =/

Overall, I'm a bit pessimistic, but I'll be cheering for us, of course. LOL, I've even bought a few cheering-for-Brazil supplies, like bracelets, a flag and a little trumpet. I'm gonna watch the games together with my friends, so it's going to be quite a mess. =P

Oh, and one thing I'm hoping for. If we lose, I simply cannot accept any of the following teams to win: Argentina, England and Germany. It's my HONOR speaking louder, lololol. >X(

(LOL, socceroos XD)

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Thu Jun 08, 2006 2:41 pm

sN0wBaLL

Lite Four

Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 3:03 amPosts: 3835Location: Singapore

In about 5 hours' time, I'll be watching the opening game of Germany v Costa Rica heh. Everyone should tune in if they are able to. It'll be interesting to see how well the hosts will play, after months of a lack of competitive matches. Unfortunately, Michael Ballack will be likely to sit this match out due to injury. Will this cause them to repeat France's loss to Senegal several years back? We'll see

Oh, by the way, in my original post I've forgotten to mention who I'll be supporting. Unlike Galar, my own country (Singapore) did not qualify, and are some way off qualifying for the World Cup finals, though we are heading in the right direction, so I'll be supporting a foreign country... which is Spain. I hope Spain do well, but somehow they seem to underperform every single time a major tournaments comes round. It would be nice if they can reach the Quarter Finals; I think that would be a realistic target. Spain has had good players all this while, and this time they've got a good blend of experienced players, players in the peak of their careers, and youngsters as well.

David Villa and Fernando Torres provides a youthful and skilled duo in front of goal, with Raul Gonzales vying for a starting berth. Luis Garcia and Joaquin provide some good service on the wings, and wonderkid Fabregas links up defence and attack. All in all, I hope they get it right this time and shrug off their tag of "perennial underachievers".

England - I live there
France - Love the country, the language, the food.
Czech Republic - I go there often and its lovely.
Ivory Coast - Best African team to date, good player, best tatics.

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Mon Jun 12, 2006 8:53 am

abloomon4

Psychic Trainer

Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 2:31 pmPosts: 90Location: New Jersey!

Czech Republic 3, United States 0.SHWEEEEEEET. Even though I live in America, my heart lies in Ghana, and thats where my dad is from. Although this isnt exactly a good thing, seeing that the Czechs beatdown on the lathargic Americans, but its good to shove some sense into someone at my school who really thinks the US is going ot win it all. (Ghana doesnt have much of a shot either :roll:, but I dont care)

We only won because F_W was supporting us all along! (And it didn't matter if you slept through all your alarm clocks, as long as you saw the last ten minutes!)

That was a very exciting game! (Surely, we deserved that though...)

WATCH OUT BRAZIL, we're after you next! ;P

(eugh, have to stay up till 2am for the Australia v Brazil match, i think).

_________________Sponsor a pokemon today to guide them through the knockout tournament! (2,000 Psybucks up for grabs)

Tue Jun 13, 2006 4:34 am

sN0wBaLL

Lite Four

Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 3:03 amPosts: 3835Location: Singapore

Aww I was rooting for Japan (despite Tim Cahill being one of the players which I like) in that match. Down but not out... watch out! >: P

Currently my attention's on these two matches: South Korea play Togo, France play Switzerland. Hopefully Dick Advocaat can repeat what Hiddink achieved in 2002. I can't see Togo going anywhere in this match. The squad seems to be in disarray, what with the coach-switching and all. South Korea to win this one. As for the French, I think they have what it takes to beat Switzerland, but the Swiss has a youthful squad which is capable of causing an upset here so I'll be cautious.

Oh, by the way I forgot to mention that this topic will be un-stickied soon after the World Cup is over, but discussion can still continue.

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Tue Jun 13, 2006 5:20 am

Scipio

Bug Catcher

Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2006 5:49 pmPosts: 23

Togo (1) Korea Rep.(2) Final

After trailing after the half, korea have been playing theair hearts out, scoring two brilliant goals so far.

Another game I gotta watch is France v Switzerland and Brasil v Croatia.

My predictions:

France will win this one, but not without a fight from Switzerland.

Brasil will win, but it could go either way, tough one.

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Tue Jun 13, 2006 7:38 am

Flaming_Wuzzle

Frontier Brain

Joined: Wed Aug 04, 2004 2:22 pmPosts: 825

DragonPhoenix wrote:

We only won because F_W was supporting us all along! (And it didn't matter if you slept through all your alarm clocks, as long as you saw the last ten minutes!)

I said stop assuming things.

You really only won because Japan more or less gave up with 10 minutes left.

That said, the USA really has no chance. They looked like they might be a threat during qualifying, but somehow that team got replaced with one filled with lazy bastids that stand around until the ball gets close to them.

France 0-0 Switzerland AT HALF TIME. Other half not on yet.
France's performance wasnt admirable in the 1st half, im hoping for a better second half. The referee is fair except he let a blatant handball from Switz in the penalty box seem like it didnt happen.

France will win though. ^_^

_________________Coca Cola, 2 Litres a day, keep ma batteries onnnn.

Tue Jun 13, 2006 9:56 am

Galar

Gym Leader

Joined: Thu Feb 17, 2005 11:04 amPosts: 1320Location: Sky Tower

You people may now plese stop assuming Brazil's gonna freakin' beat up every team that comes across our path. Stop this freakin' hexing, all that pression's gonna ruin us. >.>

Asutralians and Croatians are playing like wild animals in rut. I've lost count on how many faults by croatians were commited. And two or three yellow cards for the croatians. Now we're having an AUS x CRO match: I hope they beat each other to death.

Teams that don't have any techniche will have to rely on the aggression, I'm afraid. ;p Just kiddin'.

I think Brazil x Australia is going to be a though match. I mean, the aussies beat the japanese like, in no time. I'll still be rootin' for us though... Or perhaps I shouldn't... OMG, I think I bring bad luck.

I say Germany should die because my teacher is German and our entire class hates her, and England should win because England is cool. Brazil is good too and so is Italy.

1. England: Because I just like them.
2. Brazil: Because they rock.
3. Italy: Because my favorite teacher is Italian.

Eng-err-land all the way! Oh yeah, Aussie's rule too.

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Tue Jun 13, 2006 4:14 pm

sN0wBaLL

Lite Four

Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 3:03 amPosts: 3835Location: Singapore

Geez, how does the nationality of your teacher influence which team you support? So if you get, say, a Togolese teacher who is really cool, you'll suddenly support Togo as well?

Anyway, France drew 0-0 with the Swiss. Surprising perhaps, but somewhat not unexpected. Brazil slugged their way to a 1-0 win, but it is a win nonetheless. I hope no one complains that it was a bad game, because realistically you can't expect them to go and win all the games with huge scorelines. You're better off watching Cricket if you love huge scorelines.

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Tue Jun 13, 2006 6:54 pm

JsXtm

Gym Leader

Joined: Fri Sep 02, 2005 1:34 pmPosts: 2200Location: Madison, WI

Ho ho! I'm rather supporting the US (being from there), although I'd also like to see the jolly old Brits go far (who have advanced to round 2). Anyway, the US is still in it, after a Tie vs Italy, because Ghana MAJORLY upset the Czech Republic. Comments? Thoughts?

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